The head of the International Monetary Fund on Thursday urged African countries to accelerate their transition to clean energy sources and sustainable agriculture given what she called the "existential threat" posed by climate change.

"This is the most significant risk we face as a global community. It is an existential risk," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said at an event in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Georgieva said it was paramount for Africa and its growing population to ensure sustainable agriculture with more drought resilient seeds, and increased transportation and storage possibilities so food was not wasted. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal Editing by Chris Reese)